Slide Into Home

KLIN’s Coby Mach reporting that #LNK considering changing the eventual location of the new ice center to be right next to Haymarket Park

Sounds like a good idea to me. It has the downside of discouraging southward growth in the Haymarket. On the other hand, concentrating athletic activity on the north side of the Haymarket comes with its own perks, and it supports the idea of making that area a “sports zone” of sorts. You may recall that there have been murmurs of soccer fields, baseball fields, and even a new LPS football stadium in that area. Oh, and I can’t forget my favorite rumor-slash-prediction (which I started): UNL will build a Creighton-style soccer stadium in that area by 2015 to house its soccer team, plus an all-new men’s team. It could happen!

The Comments

Matt OlberdingSeptember 30, 2010 at 2:34pm

I’ve got to wonder whether joining the Big 10 will cause NU to re-evaluate some of the sports it has and some it doesn’t. To me, it would make sense to add sports that are growing in interest and participation, such as men’s soccer and men’s and women’s hockey, and dump sports like gymnastics. I think NU holds onto gymnastics because of its tradition of producing olympic athletes.

Mr. WilsonSeptember 30, 2010 at 2:43pm

I’ve always wondered more about sports like golf and tennis. What value does UNL get from those sports? I “get” the attachment to gymnastics because of the program’s history. Golf and tennis ... not so much.

I haven’t really given much thought to hockey. I suppose I could see Husker hockey being popular.

meatballSeptember 30, 2010 at 3:27pm

I heard that portion of Coby’s show yesterday. Dan Marvin had confirmed for Coby that some discussions regarding moving the ice center had taken place. Among the reasons for the move: they could save $4 million by using cheaper building materials, since it wouldn’t have to conform to surrounding buildings in the same manner as it would if built where originally proposed in the heart of the Haymarket. Guess what currently sits on the site where it potentially could be moved near Haymarket Park? The city facility that’s proposed to relocate in the Experian building, if purchased by the city. UNL Regent and JPA member Tim Claire called in to the show and stated that this was all news to him. Begs questions about what all is going on behind the scenes regarding the Experian building. I agree with Coby’s concerns about shuffling around pieces of the proposed development contrary to what voters approved. This is transparency?

Personally, I like the original proposed location for the ice center. I think it supports southward development of the Haymarket, as well as naturally fosters development to fill the space between the arena and the ice center.

StacySeptember 30, 2010 at 6:14pm

I am so looking forward to the days where there is a home game, a concert at the arena and a hockey game. It’s so going to rock living in Lincoln and being able to go anywhere that connects to downtown! Yeah, there is sarcasm totally dripping off that entire statement.

holy hannaSeptember 30, 2010 at 6:22pm

I like the idea of putting the ice center next to the baseball park simply because of the opportunity to share parking space. I drive by the baseball park several times a week and the parking lot sits empty 75 to 80% of the time. It is a big waste of space. The only time it is used are Saltdog home baseball or Husker home baseball or football games. If the ice center and the ball stadium can share parking space, we won’t have to build another garage or surface lot in the Haymarket to accomodate ice center parkers. It leaves more land for other businesses.